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Passengers have been safely taken off a train after it derailed in Cumbria, police have said.
A major incident was declared by North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) after the 4.28am Glasgow to London Euston service derailed at around 6.10am near the village of Shap.
Shortly before 9am, British Transport Police said on X its officers “were called at 6.15am today to reports of a train derailment in near Shap, Cumbria.
“Thankfully, there are no reported casualties and passengers have been safely escorted from the train.
“Officers remain on scene alongside emergency services responding to the incident.”
Around 85 passengers were on the train, NWAS said at 9.10am, adding that “fortunately, we don’t believe anyone has suffered any significant injuries”.
All those on board were being taken off the service, and its hazardous area response team was on scene, “triaging and offering welfare to all involved in the incident,” it said.
Avanti West Coast said all lines north of Preston are blocked, as it asked customers not to try to travel north of the city.
The company warned there is likely to be “significant disruption to our network for a number of days”.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said a major incident had been declared, but “there are no reported injuries”.
She told LBC Radio: “I have been informed of this incident within the last half-an-hour or so.
“We will work swiftly to make sure that people can get off the train safely. I will be remaining in constant touch with the train operating company.”
North West Ambulance Service said “resources” have been dispatched to the incident and it is “currently assessing the situation”.
Other emergency services personnel are also at the scene, the trust said.
Posts on X from National Rail said the Transpennine Express line had been affected, warning “major disruption between Carlisle and Preston [was] expected until the end of the day.
“A derailed train between Penrith and Oxenholme means all lines are blocked. Trains running between Carlisle and Preston may be delayed by up to 120 minutes or cancelled.”
Avanti West Coast said rail replacement buses are operating between Carlisle and Preston.
“Tickets will be accepted on alternative routes between London Kings Cross and Edinburgh with LNER, between Edinburgh and Glasgow Central with ScotRail and between Edinburgh and Birmingham New Street with CrossCountryUK,” it said.
Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale and former Liberal Democrat leader, said: “I’m deeply concerned to hear the news coming out of Shap this morning.
“My thoughts are with everyone on board the train and the emergency service workers who are now on the scene.”
Shap is in the centre of Cumbria, around 10 miles (15km) south of Penrith.
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